The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has rejected reports of the suspension and expulsion of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, describing the action as invalid and without legal standing within the movement.

The separatist group said the declaration made by the faction led by Chika Edoziem carries no weight, insisting that those behind the move no longer have any recognised authority within the organisation.

In a statement issued on Friday by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group maintained that the officials responsible for announcing Kanu’s suspension had already lost their positions before making the declaration.

According to IPOB, the leadership structure headed by Edoziem had earlier been dissolved by Kanu under powers granted to him by the group’s Code of Conduct. The organisation said a new administrative leadership, identified as the fourth Directorate of State (DOS), has already been constituted under the leadership of Chris Nwaọgụ.

The group argued that since the previous administration had already been dissolved, all decisions, directives, or pronouncements made by its members after that dissolution are automatically invalid.

“No person can derive authority from an office that has already ceased to exist,” the statement said.

IPOB stressed that under its constitutional framework, only the office of the Supreme Leader has the power to appoint, remove, suspend, or dissolve principal officers and key administrative structures.

The group pointed to provisions in its internal code, insisting that such powers are exclusively vested in Kanu unless he chooses to delegate them.

Based on that position, IPOB said any announcement suggesting that Kanu had been suspended by Edoziem’s faction was not only unconstitutional but impossible under the organisation’s laws.

“The authority to appoint, suspend, dismiss or dissolve principal officers and administrative structures resides exclusively in the Office of the Supreme Leader. No Coordinator, Principal Officer, Directorate, Committee or collective body possesses any constitutional authority to suspend, remove or overrule the Supreme Leader,” the statement said.

IPOB strongly criticised the move, describing it as reckless and a direct challenge to the authority of the group’s leadership structure.

The organisation accused the dissolved officials of misconduct, abuse of office, and deliberate attempts to take powers beyond what is permitted under its governing laws.

According to the statement, instead of complying with the leadership transition and handing over responsibilities, the former officials allegedly chose to act in defiance of the authority that initially legitimised their positions.

The group also directed its members across different countries to ignore any statement, appointment, suspension, or directive issued by Edoziem and members of the dissolved administration.

“The third administration of the Directorate of State no longer exists. Its tenure has been terminated by lawful authority and its powers extinguished,” the statement declared.

IPOB further called on media organisations to be cautious in reporting developments concerning the group, urging journalists to verify sources before publishing statements attributed to individuals it no longer recognises as official representatives.

Reaffirming loyalty to Kanu, the group said the newly established leadership remains active and fully answerable to the detained leader.

IPOB also warned that any member or group attempting to challenge Kanu’s authority or disrupt the organisation’s command structure would face disciplinary action, including suspension or outright expulsion.

“The authority of the Supreme Leader remains supreme, unquestionable and binding on all members,” the statement added.